Dive into the innovative and boundary-pushing world of John Adams with "Earbox," a comprehensive 10-CD retrospective that spans nearly five hours of his most iconic works. Released in 1999, this expansive collection is a testament to Adams' prowess in minimalism and avant-garde composition, offering a rich tapestry of his creative genius.
The album features a diverse array of pieces, from the hauntingly beautiful "Harmonium" and the rhythmic intricacies of "Shaker Loops" to the operatic grandeur of "Nixon in China." Each track showcases Adams' unique ability to blend classical structures with modern sensibilities, creating a sound that is both timeless and cutting-edge.
"Earbox" includes iconic works such as "The Chairman Dances," a lively foxtrot for orchestra, and "Grand Pianola Music," a piece that exemplifies Adams' knack for combining electronic and acoustic elements. The collection also features selections from his opera "Nixon in China," providing a glimpse into his dramatic and narrative prowess.
Whether you're a longtime fan of John Adams or a newcomer to his music, "Earbox" offers a deep and rewarding exploration of his artistic journey. This meticulously curated collection is a celebration of Adams' contributions to contemporary classical music, making it an essential addition to any music lover's library.
Adams: Harmonium: I. Negative LoveJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Harmonium: II. Because I Could Not Stop for DeathJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Harmonium: III. Wild NightsJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Shaker Loops: I. Shaking and TremblingJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: II. Hymning SlewsJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: III. Loops and VersesJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: IV. A Final ShakingJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra)John Adams, Edo de Waart, San Francisco Symphony
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: Pt. IAJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: Pt. IBJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: On the Dominant DivideJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Fearful SymmetriesJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "The People Are the Heroes Now"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: Landing of the Spirit of '76John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Your Flight Was Smooth, I Hope?"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "News Has a Kind of Mystery"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena, Thomas Hammons
Nixon in China, Act 1, Scene 3: "Mr. Premier, distinguished guests"John Adams
Act 1, Scene 3: "Mr. Premier, distinguished guests," (2)John Adams
Nixon in China, Act 1, Scene 3: CheersJohn Adams
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 1: "This Is Prophetic!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Oh What a Day I Thought I'd Die!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Whip Her to Death!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "I Am the Wife of Mao Tse-tung"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "Let Us Examine What You Did"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Duykers, Trudy Ellen Craney, Sanford Sylvan
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "When I Woke Up"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, James Maddalena, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Have No Offspring"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney, John Duykers
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Can Keep Still"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "After that the Sweat Had Soaked My Uniform"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page, James Maddalena, John Duykers, Sanford Sylvan
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "Peking Watches the Stars"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney, John Duykers
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "You Won at Poker"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Am Old and I Cannot Sleep"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: The Wound-DresserJohn Adams, Sanford Sylvan, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Christian Zeal and ActivityJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, San Francisco Symphony
Five Songs: ThoreauCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: Down EastCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: Cradle SongCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: At The RiverRobert Lowry, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: SerenityCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Eros PianoJohn Adams, Paul Crossley
Chorus of Exiled PalestiniansJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Chorus of Exiled JewsJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
The Captain: "It Was Just After One Fifteen"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Swiss Grandmother: "My Grandson Didi, Who Was Two"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Molqi: "Give These Orders"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Swiss Grandmother: "So I Said To My Grandson"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Mamoud: "We Are Sorry For You"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Night ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon